Spain boss: Gareth Southgate can lead England out of the wilderness

Julen Lopetegui has backed Gareth Southgate to be a success with England

The Spain coach was promoted from running the country’s Under 21 side to being in charge of the senior side permanently - via an 18 month spell at Porto - after a similarly disastrous Euro 2016.

And, if and when the FA finally offer him the job, Southgate is also set to step up from the Under 21s.

Spain, under the legendary Vicente Del Bosque, crashed out of the Euros at the last 16 stage losing to Italy, following on from an even worse World Cup 2014 when they did not even make it out of their group.

The veteran Del Bosque retired in the summer and Lopetegui, who also managed Spain’s Under 19 and Under 20 sides, after 18 months at Porto, was brought back to take over.

Tonight’s clash will be his fifth game in charge and, like Southgate, he has yet to be beaten.

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Gareth Southgate should get the England job permanently

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Julen Lopetegui was nearly Wolves boss

“The England team is improving, showing different skills in offensive phases. They are trying to work on their forward play”

Julen Lopetegui

Southgate is expected to be permanently appointed in the next few days, and the quietly spoken Lopetegui, a self confessed lover of English football, said: “It’s possible that what happened to me could happen to Gareth.

“You can see that he has the challenge now, and he is doing a very good job. I wish him the best.

“The England team is improving, showing different skills in offensive phases. They are trying to work on their forward play.

“Wembley is always a difficult place to come, against an opponent in good form, and a squad full of good players.”

Lopetegui was almost in place as Wolves’ new manager in the summer when the call from the Spanish FA came to tempt him back to the job he always seemed destined for.

England train ahead of Spain clash

ENGLAND were put through their paces by interim boss Gareth Southgate today ahead of their clash with Spain.

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England train ahead of Spain clash

“There are many things I like about English football. I love the whole world of it. I am fan of the traditions, the stadiums, the fans, the fantastic atmosphere.”

But Spain arrive at Wembley tonight, like England, as a team being reshaped by the new man in charge.

There is no Andres Iniesta, injured, and Cesc Fabregas, because he cannot get into the Chelsea team.

And Diego Costa, in a blow for the squad, went back to Stamford Bridge last week nursing a groin problem.

Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets, one of the survivors of the old regime, said: “Things went well under Del Bosque, but it does no good in football to look backwards, you have to look forwards all the time.

“It is not about what has changed or not changed. It is about being united, looking forward, staying concentrated, and trying to win this game.

“England are a side with top players, but like ourselves not at their best recently, in Euro 2016 or World Cup 2014. It will still be a big game.

“We have youngsters who have joined our group recently, and we have not played too many games under the new manager.